In the March 2012 Harvard Business Review article, “The Looming Challenge to U.S.
Competitiveness,” Michael Porter and Jan Rivik point out that the U.S. faces a deeper, more
fundamental challenge than recovering from a recession of unusual depth and duration—
that is, its ability to be competitive globally. “To restore its competitiveness, America needs
a long-term strategy,” counsel Potter and Rivik.

Two professional associations, the American Society for
Public Administration and the National Academy of Public
Administration, have joined to sponsor a series of forums
addressing the management challenges likely to face whomever
is sworn in as president in January 2013.
One of these forums examined the leadership challenges
associated with getting big things done, and explored lessons
from past experiences.

The Federal Acquisition Service takes a leadership
role in providing centralized
acquisition solutions while reducing
waste, increasing efficiency, lowering cost, and fostering
emerging sectors of the economy.

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy
stands at the forefront in helping the
nation meet its energy, scientific,
environmental, and national security
goals, while also developing and
deploying new energy technologies to
reduce dependence on foreign energy
sources.

The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) relies on information
and technology to carry out its
mission—it depends on the availability
of and access to timely and
reliable information and on the technology
that makes it all happen.

As both a member of the U.S. intelligence community and a
Department of Defense (DOD) combat support agency, the
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has sought to
produce timely, relevant, and accurate geospatial intelligence
(GEOINT) for government leaders in responding to and anticipating
the country’s most critical national security challenges.